The skin, a novel niche for recirculating B cells

SA Geherin, SR Fintushel, MH Lee… - The Journal of …, 2012 - journals.aai.org
SA Geherin, SR Fintushel, MH Lee, RP Wilson, RT Patel, C Alt, AJ Young, JB Hay…
The Journal of Immunology, 2012journals.aai.org
B cells infiltrate the skin in many chronic inflammatory diseases caused by autoimmunity or
infection. Despite potential contribution to disease, skin-associated B cells remain poorly
characterized. Using an ovine model of granulomatous skin inflammation, we demonstrate
that B cells increase in the skin and skin-draining afferent lymph during inflammation.
Surprisingly, skin B cells are a heterogeneous population that is distinct from lymph node B
cells, with more large lymphocytes as well as B-1–like B cells that coexpress high levels of …
Abstract
B cells infiltrate the skin in many chronic inflammatory diseases caused by autoimmunity or infection. Despite potential contribution to disease, skin-associated B cells remain poorly characterized. Using an ovine model of granulomatous skin inflammation, we demonstrate that B cells increase in the skin and skin-draining afferent lymph during inflammation. Surprisingly, skin B cells are a heterogeneous population that is distinct from lymph node B cells, with more large lymphocytes as well as B-1–like B cells that coexpress high levels of IgM and CD11b. Skin B cells have increased MHC class II, CD1, and CD80/86 expression compared with lymph node B cells, suggesting that they are well-suited for T cell activation at the site of inflammation. Furthermore, we show that skin accumulation of B cells and Ab-secreting cells during inflammation increases local Ab titers, which could augment host defense and autoimmunity. Although skin B cells express typical skin-homing receptors, such as E-selectin ligand and α-4 and β-1 integrins, they are unresponsive to ligands for chemokine receptors associated with T cell homing into skin. Instead, skin B cells migrate toward the cutaneously expressed CCR6 ligand CCL20. Our data support a model in which B cells use CCR6-CCL20 to recirculate through the skin, fulfilling a novel role in skin immunity and inflammation.
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